There is irrefutable evidence that the Arctic icecap has been shrinking over recent years. Polar sea ice results from large-scale variations in solar insolation, or the incoming solar radiation, and changes in oceanic and atmospheric circulation. The planetary energy balance shows a surplus at the equator and a loss at the poles. In the Arctic, sea ice volume peaks at the end of March, and reaches maximal reduction at the end of September.
Climate models all agree that the first and strongest indicators of global climate change occur first and are strongest at the poles. Most climate models predict a reduction in the volume of sea ice over the next several decades. We may see a seasonal ice-free Arctic by 2050.
Global Warming Siren
The creatures of the Arctic have evolved over millions of years in order to survive and thrive in the perpetual ice of the Arctic. Polar bears are well suited to find and kill ring seals in the Arctic. Ring seals give birth to and nurse their pups in dens that are built inside sea ice ridges, and feed on Arctic cod. Arctic cod produce antifreeze that keeps their blood from freezing in Arctic temperatures. Cod feed on copepods (small Crustaceans) that are herbivores that feed on algae. The life cycle begins in spring when sunlight begins to breakup some of the ice cover, allowing the algae to start blooming. As temperatures rise, all of these highly specialized creatures run the risk of being displaced by less specialized species, and ultimately extinction.
Polar Discovery
Media Matters
Rising water temperatures may result in a change in the type of algae with an increase in the number of phytoplankton at the expense of the ice algae. This can lead to replacement of the Arctic copepods with Atlantic copepods. This may lead to displacement of the Arctic cod with Atlantic cod, thus causing displacement of ring seals with harbor seals, which could have a devastating effect on the polar bear population. Polar bears are at the top of the Arctic food chain.
Until the end of the last ice age, the mammalian fauna of northern Eurasia and America was similar morphologically to that found in Africa and India. Research points to expanding human population and exploitation rather than climate change that led to the end of similarities of the types of fauna. Extinction of species began at the temperate regions and spread to the poles. There were mammoths living in the Arctic until 5500 years ago.
This “atlantification” of the Arctic Ocean will result in an increased diversity of plant and animal life. The Arctic Ocean may become a new source of fishing. Current rising temperatures and resultant melting of the Arctic ice will accelerate, as the polar ice now reflects 90% of the sunlight, but when the ice is gone, the water will warm even faster.
Sources
Rouse, W. R., Roulet, N. T., Smol, J.P., Nicholson, B.J., Mcdonald, M., Marsh, Pl, et al. (1997). Effects of climate change on the freshwaters of Arctic and Subarctic North America. Hydrological Processes, 11(8), 873-902.
Smetacek, V.& Nicol, S. (2005). Polar ocean ecosystems in a changing world. Nature, 437, 362-368. doi: 10.1038/nature4161.
Climate models all agree that the first and strongest indicators of global climate change occur first and are strongest at the poles. Most climate models predict a reduction in the volume of sea ice over the next several decades. We may see a seasonal ice-free Arctic by 2050.
Global Warming Siren
The creatures of the Arctic have evolved over millions of years in order to survive and thrive in the perpetual ice of the Arctic. Polar bears are well suited to find and kill ring seals in the Arctic. Ring seals give birth to and nurse their pups in dens that are built inside sea ice ridges, and feed on Arctic cod. Arctic cod produce antifreeze that keeps their blood from freezing in Arctic temperatures. Cod feed on copepods (small Crustaceans) that are herbivores that feed on algae. The life cycle begins in spring when sunlight begins to breakup some of the ice cover, allowing the algae to start blooming. As temperatures rise, all of these highly specialized creatures run the risk of being displaced by less specialized species, and ultimately extinction.
Polar Discovery
Media Matters
Rising water temperatures may result in a change in the type of algae with an increase in the number of phytoplankton at the expense of the ice algae. This can lead to replacement of the Arctic copepods with Atlantic copepods. This may lead to displacement of the Arctic cod with Atlantic cod, thus causing displacement of ring seals with harbor seals, which could have a devastating effect on the polar bear population. Polar bears are at the top of the Arctic food chain.
Until the end of the last ice age, the mammalian fauna of northern Eurasia and America was similar morphologically to that found in Africa and India. Research points to expanding human population and exploitation rather than climate change that led to the end of similarities of the types of fauna. Extinction of species began at the temperate regions and spread to the poles. There were mammoths living in the Arctic until 5500 years ago.
This “atlantification” of the Arctic Ocean will result in an increased diversity of plant and animal life. The Arctic Ocean may become a new source of fishing. Current rising temperatures and resultant melting of the Arctic ice will accelerate, as the polar ice now reflects 90% of the sunlight, but when the ice is gone, the water will warm even faster.
Sources
Rouse, W. R., Roulet, N. T., Smol, J.P., Nicholson, B.J., Mcdonald, M., Marsh, Pl, et al. (1997). Effects of climate change on the freshwaters of Arctic and Subarctic North America. Hydrological Processes, 11(8), 873-902.
Smetacek, V.& Nicol, S. (2005). Polar ocean ecosystems in a changing world. Nature, 437, 362-368. doi: 10.1038/nature4161.
http://globalwarmingsiren.com/wp-content/gallery/polar-ice-caps/polaricecapsmelting.jpg
http://mediamatters.org/print/blog/2013/04/04/8-tips-from-scientists-on-covering-polar-bears/193443
http://polardiscovery.whoi.edu/arctic/ecosystem.html
Victoria Cifers